What is meditation? Meditation means to reflect, contemplate or ponder. Those from the point of view of Eastern mysticism say it is a practice for the calming of the body and emptying the mind. But meditation from the Western point of view is the process of deeply pondering an issue or subject.
What does meditation have to do with God’s word?
Read Joshua 1:1-8. What did God command Joshua concerning his law?
How often was Joshua to meditate on the law?
What is implied by the command to, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth”?
What is the promised result of meditation on the book of the law?
How would meditation help Joshua complete the assignment he had been given?
Read Psalms 119:97-100. What are the benefits of meditating on God’s word?
What does the writer says produces a greater understanding of God’s precepts?
Why do we need to meditate on the word of God?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:13-15. How is the truth of God different from any other knowledge can acquire?
What limitation does the natural or unspiritual man have in receiving God’s revelation?
Read Isaiah 55:8 ,9. What is the difference between our ways and God’s ways?
Read Matthew 16:13-17. What is the difference between revelation and information?
Spiritual vs. Worldly
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. What was the problem with the Corinthian believers?
Worldliness means to live according to the standards of the world. Read 1 John 2:15. What does John say is lacking in those who live according to the world’s standards?
What is the destiny of the world and its desires or lust?
What is the destiny of the one who obeys God?
We have a build in capacity to conform to the world, our old sinful nature. It is called the flesh. Read Galatians 5:15-21. What does Paul say we will not experience if we follow the desires of our flesh?
Read Romans 8:5-8. What are the results when we allow our flesh to control us?
Read Romans 12:2. What is the solution to overcoming the domination of the world and the flesh in our lives?
What will this transformation enable us to do?
And it is through meditation that our minds are renewed. Read Psalms 1:1-3. What are the characteristics of the man who delights in the law of the Lord?
Read Psalm 119:165? What is the outcome of those who love God’s law?
How to meditate
Before you begin: Have a Bible, notebook and find a place to meditate that is free of distractions.
Steps:
1.Read the verse or passage through slowly.
2.Read the verse several times over again, each time emphasizing a different word.
3.Look at the nouns and pronouns in the verse. Consider who are the ones speaking, performing actions or being spoken about.
4.Look at the verbs; consider what actions are taking place?
5.What about the other words: adjectives, adverbs and conjunctions; what do they add to the meaning?
6.If the passage is a narrative, try to visualize the actions and conversations. What insights do you see?
How can you categorize this passage? Is it a promise that you can use in prayer or share with someone in distress? Does it give you a measurement by which you can evaluate your own life or a standard of conduct that you can aspire to attain? Can you now write out the verse or passage in your own words? Has the Holy Spirit given you greater insight into this passage’s meaning and application?
Practice: Read John 10:10 and goes through the steps of meditation. Write down your insights:
What are your thoughts on mediation? Will this practice help your spiritual grow?
Recommended Memory Verses on Meditation
You will receive insight, comfort and encouragement from memorizing verses such as these along with their scripture references. Go over them twice a day until you can quote them word for word. Then review them once each month.
Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
Psalms 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in law of THE LORD; on his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Romans 12:2 – Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Scriptures taken from the Word English Bible (WEB)
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